twopence

American  

[tuhp-uhns] / ˈtʌp əns /

Or tuppence

noun

plural

twopence, twopences

1. (used with a singular or plural verb) a sum of two pennies.

2. a bronze coin of the United Kingdom equal to two pennies: issued after decimalization in 1971.

3. a former copper coin of Great Britain, equal to two pennies, issued under George III.

4. a former silver coin of England, equal to two pennies: issued only as maundy money after 1662.

5. a trifle.

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twopence British  

/ ˈtʌpəns /

noun

1. the sum of two pennies

2. (used with a negative) something of little value (in the phrase not care or give twopence )

3. a former British silver coin, now only coined as Maundy money

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Etymology

Origin of twopence

1400–50; late Middle English two pens; see two, pence

Example Sentences

Thruppence Twopence A shilling A farthing "As for chimney-sweeping, and being hungry, and being beaten, he took all that for the way of the world, like the rain and snow and thunder..."

From The Guardian • May 24, 2010

Twopence to fourpence was the sum which each put down at every stake, and it was astonishing to observe how rapidly the coins were transported from one pocket to another.

From Sinks of London Laid Open A Pocket Companion for the Uninitiated, to Which is Added a Modern Flash Dictionary Containing all the Cant Words, Slang Terms, and Flash Phrases Now in Vogue, with a List of the Sixty Orders of Prime Coves by Cruikshank, George

Twopence per box being the price, for which I charge no more nor will I p. 248take less. 

From The Cambrian Sketch-Book Tales, Scenes, and Legends of Wild Wales by Davies, R. Rice

You forgot to put a stamp on your letter, and your poor old Uncle had to pay Twopence!

From Lewis Carroll in Wonderland and at Home The Story of His Life by Moses, Belle

Stevenson—the R.L.S. of "Penny plain and Twopence coloured"—would have delighted in this.

From Aspects and Impressions by Gosse, Edmund